Emma Campbell

With Manchester's drinkers and diners constantly looking at ways to cut back the costs on nights out, more and more restaurant have expanded their offering to allow 'BYOB' - that's bring your own bottle/booze for those not familiar with the term. Going out in Manchester isn't going to be getting any cheaper, so an excuse to bring a few bottles of wine and beers along to sit aside your meal is always welcome. BYOB isn't a new thing, but it's much more popular and common in places like Australia and the Far East. Allowing diners to take advantage of a thrifty drinking experience alongside their chosen meal, restaurants usually charge a reasonable corkage fee and then you can pour your own to your heart's content. It's an ideal option for Christmas parties and festive get togethers in particular, so here's five BYOB places in Manchester to check out. PhetpailinA Thai restaurant nestled in the heart of Manchester's Chinatown, Phetpailin has team of passionate and dedicated Thai chefs and waiters serving up affordable food. A great place for large parties as they offer a set menu which caters for everyone; platters of typical Thai starters such as spring rolls, crispy vegetables, prawns and fishcakes are followed by green and red chicken curries, sweet and sour dishes, noodle and stir fry offerings and meat and vegetarian favourites. There's a fairly no frills decor, but a lovely Thai ambiance. As a bonus, there's no corkage fee. Lotus Vegetarian KitchenA dedicated vegetarian Chin

Forget basement bars - why not enjoy the views Manchester has to offer the next time you sip cocktails on a Saturday night? More and more bars in Manchester are now coming complete with an al-fresco terrace or floor to ceiling windows, showcasing amazing views of what the city has to offer. There are more landmarks to the city than you may think, from the iconic Beetham Tower, the waterfront destination of MediaCity, and the urban skyline of northern Manchester, with the bright lights surrounding the Etihad Stadium. From some pretty spots, you can even take a glimpse at the Pennines. So there may not be a world class attraction in sight such as the Brooklyn Bridge or The Opera House, but Manchester can sure look wonderful at night too, and here are some rooftop bars to enjoy the views.Manchester House A very classy affair for a weekend evening, offering the finest of cocktails and wines on the 12th floor venue overlooking Spinningfields. The interior is impressive in itself, so you might be tempted to stay inside and admire the plush cream chairs and lamps, plus the array of spirit and liqueur bottles all lined up in glass casing along the walls. However, the terrace is a sophisticated area worth taking your Espresso Martini out onto. The seating areas are quite generous, where groups can gather and sit under heaters in the winter. Manchester House faces out onto the business district of Manchester and the Courts and offers more built up industry views of the city. Hilton Do